Naturalized in top posts 
The citizenship provisions of the new constitution have remained contested in Nepal.  While there had been voices for equality in citizenship provisions from several quarters, the major political parties had stood on the same page as far as certain restrictions on naturalized citizens were concerned.  Evidence shows that every country in the world places some restrictions on naturalized citizens. Therefore when the ‘proposed’ amendment to the constitution to allow naturalized citizens to hold executive positions was made public, it has generated strong condemnation and outrage from the public and from some prominent political leaders. Though Prime Minister’s Secretariat has clarified that “the leaked document on the constitution amendment proposal is not authentic,” social media is full of the suggestions that the government is indeed mulling such a proposal. Article 289 (1) of current constitution prohibits naturalized citizens from holding the posts of president, vice president, prime minister, chief justice, speaker, chairman of the National Assembly, provincial governor, chief minister, speaker of provincial assembly and heads of the security forces. 

We believe the public outcry on this sensitive issue is not out of place. Nepal’s unique geographical positing makes us very sensitive of any move that is even remotely seen as an attempt to question our sovereignty and independence. This is why Nepalis are demanding to know who and for what purpose the proposed amendment has been floated. Who is demanding such a big change to our constitution? Even matured democracies like the United States does not allow naturalized citizens from running for their presidency. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California, unsuccessfully tried rallying the public to amend the constitution so he, a naturalized US citizen, could run for the president. Even current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a strong stance against Sonia Gandhi’s rise to the premiership 17 years ago.  If the government is looking to push through the amendment that allows for the naturalized citizens to reach the posts prohibited in other countries, this should not be allowed to happen. 

If our political leadership has indeed decided on such a controversial provision, we must say they have lost the focus, grit and the determination to solve our internal issues through negotiations and mutual understanding and failed to keep the national interest at the core. No doubt, naturalized citizens should be treated equally in all respect. They should be able to enjoy privileges as a Nepali citizen. As such, foreign women, including from India, who marry Nepali men, have acquired citizenships of Nepal upon renouncing the citizenships of their countries of origin. We currently have a number of naturalized citizens serving as the parliamentarians. There is a rumor that the proposed amendment has been brought to placate certain section of Madheshi leaders. However, some of the Madheshi leaders see the move as a ploy to distract the national politics from the core issues of constitutional amendment. Whatever may be the rationale, such a proposal is surely going to generate a massive public outcry. Moreover, given porous border and tricky geo-politics, we do not see the amendment proposal benefiting our national integrity, independence and sovereignty. Therefore we call for open and transparent debate on such a controversial issue before it is registered in the parliament.  

 
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